Transcript Highlights:

• Housing and Community Development for housing, okay?
• Developers across our country are seeking to build data centers at an incredible breakneck speed and
• do ...process if this bill is passed to ensure that the tariffs that are developed do not result in
• Additionally, there are broad generation market impacts from all of this development.
• Additionally, there are broad generation market impacts from all of this development.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that funding, they've been developing the regulations, and then that funding will go out in 2026-27
• And the department is now in the process of developing a kelp restoration and management plan.
• They're executing their plans for the fire station and as to how, you know, the other development is
• It is the educational and personal development. The core model is not just about labor.
• It is the educational and personal development core members undertake as well.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's something my institution has been very good about and a leader in developing.
• And you're clarifying that if you develop these tools, you've got some skin in the game.
• And that's something that smaller developers could really struggle with.
• For example, Project Liberty developed a free, open protocol for social networking.
• For example, Project Liberty developed a free, open protocol for social networking.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators are rise today to present SB 958, which ensures that housing development is not hindered by
• SB 925 tasks the California Energy Commission with developing a statewide roadmap for the development
• Significant advances have been made in fusion energy development in recent years.
• Public health and safety shouldn't have to be risked for economic development.
• , the developer would have to mitigate.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:36:26.080><c> recommendations</c> requested to develop recommendations requested to develop recommendations
• We didn't develop it, we read about it, but there is a really strong wisdom of the community out here
• We didn't develop it, we read about it, but there is a really strong wisdom of the community out here
• We didn't develop it, we read about it, but there is a really strong wisdom of the community out here
• We didn't develop it, we read about it, but there is a really strong wisdom of the community out here

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard several Senate concurrent resolutions. SCR 11, urging Congress to amend the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, drew support from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and Pride at Work Hawaii, both of which backed the measure as a statement of equality and protection for LGBTQIA+ people. A member also reminded testifiers to keep signs and statements relevant to the measure. SCR 22, recognizing the 50th anniversary of the restoration of Ahu and Aliʻa, had no testimony. SCR 58, calling for a progressive enforcement framework for parking violations in DLNR boating and ocean recreation lots, drew strong support from multiple testifiers who argued that towing is overly punitive, costly, and unfair to beach and harbor users; they favored warnings or smaller citations instead of towing and raised concerns about signage, contract oversight, and the cost of proposed enforcement technology. One member asked about whether DLNR could use HPD or other officers for citations, and the discussion focused on staffing and enforcement authority. The committee then heard SCR 60 SD1, requesting an update on the “Breaking Cycles” study on alternative rehabilitation and restorative justice models on Oahu. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation was not present, but the Corrections Reform Working Group strongly supported the resolution, saying the study reflects extensive community outreach and should not be shelved. Testifiers urged the committee to use the report to examine alternatives to a new jail, including diversion, pre-trial reform, probation reform, and renovations to existing facilities, and one testifier suggested amendments to add experts in those areas and technical assistance from the Prison Policy Initiative. Another testifier described Maui’s use of wraparound reentry services, prosecutorial discretion, and programming as an example of reducing incarceration without expanding jail capacity. SCR 184, asking the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to examine anti-discrimination laws as applied to algorithmic and automated decision systems, had no in-person testimony, with the chair noting one support and one comment submitted. The final measure, SCR 89 SD1, which would create an advisory committee under the Hawaii correctional system oversight commission to develop recommendations on alternative rehabilitation and restorative justice models on Oahu, also had no testimony from the department, but the Corrections Reform Working Group supported it as a way to ensure community input into jail planning. A later testifier echoed concerns about building a large new jail and urged the committee to consider alternatives to incarceration and to include people with expertise in diversion, pre-trial reform, and probation reform. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I won't read all of this, but the bill was not developed or designed to give relief, tax relief, nor
• So House Bill 839 covered economic development, as well, So House Bill 839 covered economic development
• They can't have any development in any way short of reform? What are those limitations?
• Madam Chair, Representative, they agree not to develop the property.
• There's no requirement that they are going to fence off this..." to develop the property.

Summary: The committee’s final day focused first on a historical overview of New Mexico tax packages by Pam Stokes of Legislative Council Services. She described how tax packages have alternated over the decades between tax relief, revenue raising, and tax reform, with examples ranging from the creation of the gross receipts tax in 1966 to major packages in 1981, 1986, 1991, 1994, 2005, 2019, 2022, 2024, and the vetoed 2025 package. Members discussed how tax policy often tracks revenue conditions, how packages can combine increases and decreases, and how local government gross receipts taxes and hold-harmless distributions have affected communities differently. Several members reflected on past packages, especially the 2004 food tax repeal and the 2013 film tax and manufacturing changes, and noted that tax policy can have major economic and political effects even when it is not “sexy” legislation. The committee then heard a proposal to expand the health care practitioner gross receipts tax deduction to include co-insurance, and to extend the sunset date. Sponsor Senator Figueroa said the bill was intended to help recruit and retain medical providers and build on prior deductions for co-pays and deductibles. Testimony explained that co-insurance is the patient’s share after the deductible, that providers currently absorb the gross receipts tax on those payments, and that the proposal would cost about $30 million to the state plus about $20 million to municipalities and counties, with the exact fiscal impact likely to be updated. Members raised concerns about the effect on local governments, whether insurers could be required to reimburse providers, whether the bill would actually attract doctors, and whether better evaluation measures and sunsets should be added. The sponsor said the bill was part of a broader set of efforts to address provider shortages and that the discussion would continue. Representative McQueen then presented a bill to update the Land Conservation Incentives Act. He and conservation partners said the program has protected more than 500,000 acres but has not kept pace with rising land values, especially for irrigated agricultural land in the Middle Rio Grande. The proposal would increase the percentage of conservation value eligible for the credit, raise the per-transaction cap from $250,000 to $2 million, and make the credit refundable rather than only transferable. Testimony emphasized that the program is voluntary, keeps land in private ownership and production, and helps land-rich, cash-poor landowners preserve farmland and water rights. Members asked about average credit amounts, how easements work, whether landowners could effectively buy land and then use the credit, and whether there should be inflation indexing or a statewide cap. The discussion also touched on water rights, fencing, and the role of conservation easements in protecting agricultural land and compact water deliveries. Finally, Senator Sharer previewed his 2% tax proposal with a historical presentation on New Mexico tax law, using props to illustrate the evolution from early territorial tax codes to the modern tax system. He argued that the state’s current tax structure is overly complex and that recent federal changes have disrupted the personal income tax base. The committee did not take any votes on the day’s presentations; the meeting was primarily informational, with members offering feedback and raising policy concerns for future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• A new infrastructure planning and development division.
• It's a big staff; I think he has 16 or 18 FTE in the infrastructure planning and development division
• So, there's that one that we're working on developing.
• When he wanted economic development for people to get off the interstate, nobody ever went.
• This is a new development, and we have some significant requests this year as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh delivered in information is develop uh delivered in the<00:26:42.960><c> November</c><00:26:43.320
• </c> for more professional development for more professional development opportunities<00:32:27.360><
• </c><00:32:38.080><c> plans</c> creating individual development plans creating individual development
• questions, performance reviews, the individual development plans, any number of places where we are
• questions, performance reviews, the individual development plans, any number of places where we are

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's move on to the next measure, Senate Bill 1233, relating to Workforce Development.
• It establishes within DeHerd the State Internship and Workforce Development Program.
• <00:14:10.279><c> uh</c> Development uh Development uh program<00:14:12.720><c> okay</c><00:14:13.000
• Moving on to Senate Bill 1233, relating to workforce development.
• </c><00:40:55.240><c> uh</c> 1233 and to re Force development uh 1233 and to re Force development uh

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard several labor and personnel measures. Senate Bill 1567 would require the Department of Human Resources Development to conduct a comprehensive review of the executive branch classification and compensation system and allow it to contract with a third party outside normal procurement rules. Director Brana Hashimoto testified in support, saying the state has more than 1,400 classes of work and limited staff to keep the system current; she said outside vendor help and market data are needed to update class specifications, minimum qualifications, and pay structures. She noted the project scope and timeline would depend on funding, and said the governor had approved about $1 million for the effort. Members asked about vendor scope, comparisons to the private sector and other public employers, consolidation of obsolete classes, and whether the exemption from procurement rules would speed the work. The committee also heard Senate Bill 326 on defense of state employees, with testimony in support from HGEA, the Hawaii State AFL-CIO, and the Hawaii State Teachers Association. Senate Bill 337 would expand the pool of interest arbitrators used in collective bargaining disputes by allowing the Hawaii Labor Relations Board to request a list from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and to use arbitrators from both FMCS and the American Arbitration Association; HGEA supported the bill, saying the broader pool would improve selection and address communication issues. Senate Bill 1233 would create a State Internship and Workforce Development Program within DeHerd. The University of Hawaiʻi, HGEA, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and the Chamber of Commerce supported it. DeHerd said the program could help place interns into vacancies and convert them to civil service jobs, but said it would need about five FTE and roughly $330,000 in salaries to administer a program serving about 50 to 75 interns at a time; members questioned whether the positions could be filled and whether the program could proceed without added resources. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1359, which would increase the employer-based composite monthly contribution to the Hawaii EUTF Benefits Trust Fund beginning in January 2026 and then tie future increases to Medicare Part B premium changes with a lag. The EUTF administrator testified, and a member noted the measure resembled a bill that had died in conference the prior year. Senate Bill 1454 would give the Labor and Industrial Relations director authority to issue wage payment violation orders, establish penalties and appeals, and broaden the definition of wage; the department supported it, explaining it would align procedures under chapter 387 with existing chapter 388 enforcement and make investigations easier. Finally, the committee moved through a series of collective bargaining cost-item bills for various bargaining units and related entities, with testimony generally in support from Budget and Finance, HGEA, UH, HHSC, UPW, and other unions and associations. One amendment request was to include bargaining units 1 and 10 in the temporary hazard pay funding bill, and the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association noted its airport firefighters unit was still in arbitration and would provide final numbers later.

Transcript Highlights:

• It carries significant potential to drive community development and economic activity and presents a
• I represent nonprofit affordable housing developers from across the.
• I represent nonprofit affordable housing developers from across the nine counties that make up the San
• Third-party homelessness verification and housing history collection sits with my developer members and
• Verification and housing history collection sits with my developer members and not with the state.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 13, 2026, and began by taking up a large consent calendar, moving a first group of bills to the floor consent calendar and a second group by due pass. The committee then heard and advanced a series of measures covering housing, public safety, health care, education, and local government issues. Among the bills discussed were AB 2641 on a sales tax exemption for pawnbroker redemptions, AB 2525 on a narrow Surplus Lands Act exemption for Mission Bay Park, AB 1732 and AB 2433 on student housing and the Affordable Homes Bonus Law, AB 2055 on boating safety and enforcement, AB 1579 on children’s crisis residential services, AB 2139 on a Surplus Lands Act amendment for an Inland Empire soccer project, AB 2041 on EMS reporting, AB 1973 on reproductive health scope for advanced practice clinicians, AB 1929 on health plan investment disclosures, AB 2700 on utility rates and wildfire victim compensation, AB 1809 on school job order contracting, SB 73 on election security, AB 2418 on commercial building permit timelines, AB 1970 on step therapy limits for serious mental illness and substance use treatment, AB 2361 on peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing liability, AB 1976 on bike and pedestrian project approvals, AB 2110 on tax increment financing for workforce housing, and AB 2146 on supportive housing documentation and vacancy rules. Testimony was generally supportive for the measures heard. Authors and sponsors emphasized consumer fairness, housing production, public safety, access to care, and administrative streamlining. Supporters included local governments, housing advocates, school districts, law enforcement groups, health care organizations, and affected individuals. AB 2700 drew especially extensive public testimony from wildfire survivors and local officials who urged stronger compensation for victims of PG&E-caused fires and relief from high utility costs. AB 2034 and AB 1790 were raised during public comment on bills not heard in committee, with several industry groups opposing AB 2034 and both supporters and opponents speaking on AB 1790’s Waters Edge issue. Most bills were reported out of committee on due pass motions, with several noted as amended or with members not voting on particular roll calls. The committee also read and approved a lengthy suspense calendar, then opened public comment on bills not presented that day before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving this bill forward rolls over for the data center development.
• And again, the Weninger name will be tied forever with doing the bidding of data center developers.
• Developers have not been following... And we can't even follow the law.
• Developers have not been following the law on assuring the 100-year water supply.
• Developers have not been following the law on assuring the 100-year water.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the journal. The body then extended the session under Rule 27 and agreed to request House consent to adjourn until April 27, 2026. It moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several House bills, including HB 2170 (procurement code-related), HB 2415 (kratom regulation), HB 2700 (housing technology study committee), and HB 2950 (special districts/tourism improvement areas). Amendments were adopted on HB 2170, HB 2415, and HB 2950, and the committee reported HB 2170, HB 2415, and HB 2700 do pass; HB 2950 was later defeated on third read. The Senate also heard a brief welcome for visiting students and a personal privilege statement on Earth Day and environmental issues. The Senate then entered an additional Committee of the Whole for HB 2035 (child welfare and placement), HB 2249 (parental bill of rights), and HB 2573 (DUI/local referendum-related language). HB 2035 received a Warner amendment expanding the definition of extended family to include adoptive family members; HB 2249 received a Mesnard amendment adding liability and technical changes; and HB 2573 received a Rogers technical amendment. All three were reported out do pass as amended. On third read, HB 2573 passed 20-9, with several senators explaining opposition based on referendum and emergency-clause concerns tied to a Marana data center dispute; HB 2170 passed 17-12; HB 2415 passed 22-7; HB 2035 passed 26-3; and HB 2249 passed 17-12. HB 2950 failed 10-19. The Senate also considered House Concurrent Resolution 2043, substituting it for the Senate version and sending it to third read. The resolution, which calls for a convention to propose a federal constitutional amendment limiting congressional terms, passed 16-13 after several senators warned about the risks of a constitutional convention and the lack of limits on its scope. The House’s message on adjournment was read, committee meetings for April 27 were announced, and members made personal privilege remarks, including birthday wishes and an announcement about the annual legislative charity softball game. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, April 27, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• choose what flavor, what type, and what fat milk they desire because we also want to help students develop
• because we also want to<00:04:48.800><c> help</c><00:04:49.440><c> students</c><00:04:50.160><c> develop
• </c><00:04:50.639><c> healthy</c> to help students develop healthy to help students develop healthy choices
• that just generally wanted to see this choice and option offered to our school students so they can develop
• where you keep a they've developed where you keep a healthy<00:10:12.640><c> grass</c><00:10:14.079>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Barrier Removal Board, Department of Transportation, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife with developing
• And one of the reasons the Legislature wanted us to develop a prioritization approach for fish passage
• And so the board developed two strategies for salmon recovery.
• But we've been fighting through that, and we are developing this strategy.
• We've been fighting through that, and we are developing this strategy.

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee held a work session on fish passage and barrier prioritization. Tom Jameson of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife briefed members on the state salmon recovery framework, the types and prevalence of fish passage barriers, and the many existing barrier-removal programs. He explained that culverts are the most common barrier, but levees, tidegates, dams, and other structures also affect salmon and steelhead. He also described the state’s fish passage database, the assessment criteria used to determine whether a structure is a barrier, and the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board’s role in funding projects. Jameson reviewed the history of the board and its grant pathways, noting that the Legislature has funded 199 projects totaling nearly $225 million over five biennia, including significant federal support in the last biennium. He then focused on the new statewide prioritization strategy directed by the Legislature in 2020. A science panel recommended using an optimization model and then scoring and ranking barriers, but Jameson said the model depends on better stream mapping and ongoing “snapping” of stream layers to known barrier locations. He said the strategy is intended to produce watershed-based priority lists rather than a single statewide ranking. Members asked about how barriers are assessed during fish migration periods, how private land access affects inventory work, how local governments can report completed corrections, and how the prioritization criteria weight Chinook salmon and southern resident orca recovery. Jameson said urban areas with downstream barriers or heavily altered streams may be less recoverable, while rural watersheds may offer greater benefit. He also explained the federal culvert injunction, including ongoing obligations for state agencies and DOT’s 2030 target, and said the injunction never fully ends because new barriers are continually discovered and must be addressed over time. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for dental hygienist services and the Conway Human Development Center.
• It is for psychiatric services for the Booneville Human Development Center.
• This is dental hygienist services at the Arkansas Human Development Center.
• This is for occupational therapy services for the Jonesboro Human Development Center.
• This is occupational therapy services for the Human Development Center.

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Summary: The subcommittee first considered a used tire program contract for Arkansas District 4, an $88,000 one-year contract with LTR Intermediate Holdings. Senators raised concerns that the tire district’s revised business plan had not yet been approved and that the contract could leave the district unable to pay. Questions also focused on solicitation language that excluded bidders under corrective action plans. On motion, the committee held the contract until next month and encouraged the tire board to appear. Members then reviewed and, without objection, moved forward a series of methods of finance, alternative delivery projects, and discretionary grants. These included multiple university and college projects such as renovations, roof replacements, a new UCA multipurpose arena, and a revised financing package for UA Fayetteville’s Maple Hill residence hall. The committee also reviewed DHS and Department of Health grants for aging services, substance abuse prevention, mental health, nutrition outreach, hearing-loss follow-up, HIV services, maternal health, and rural hospital quality improvement. The committee next handled contract items, including a UAMS ratification for FMLA Source after an amendment was not submitted for review and payments continued past expiration; UAMS said it had retrained staff and would review for other missed contracts. Members also reviewed numerous construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts across state agencies and universities. Questions were raised about an out-of-state aeronautics study, a U of A Fayetteville parking guidance system, and a Veterans Affairs nursing contract. Most items were reviewed without objection, and the meeting adjourned after informational reports on contract amendments and minor contracts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Employees, and I want to note that we've been in active conversation with WOTEC as this proposal has developed
• and tribal court judicial officers can discuss jurisdictional issues, gaps in services, and ways to develop
• The Office of Equity is required by December 1, 2027, to develop and update every three years thereafter
• by December 1, 2027, the office must also collaborate with other specified parties in the bill to develop
• and consistency across state agencies and to develop solutions to address the shortage of qualified

Bills: HB2352 , HB2237 , HB2249 , HB2475 , HB2408 , HB2435 , HB2309 , HB2244 , HB2281

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: conflict of interest, transparency, state employees, municipal officers, ethics, fire safety, state fire marshals, regulation, public safety, emergency services, HB 2249, Washington Technology Solutions, WaTech, civil service, classified service, exempt employees, state employment, state personnel, network security, cybersecurity

Transcript Highlights:

• 6th, within which time to make its final report on current Senate documents relative to economic development
• That's been one of many conversations about what's happening in the Economic Development Committee, and
• 6th, within which time to make its final report on current Senate documents relative to economic development
• That's been one of many conversations about what's happening in the Economic Development Committee. and
• specifically. of many conversations about what's happening in the Economic Development Committee and

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the commission uses bond financing to provide below-market-rate financing to low-income housing developers
• the commission uses bond financing to provide below-market-rate financing to low-income housing developers
• I just am looking at you're providing below-market-rate financing to nonprofit and other developers for
• I'm looking at you're providing below-market-rate financing to nonprofit and other developers for housing
• So we could make a loan to a... ...starter home construction, so we could make a loan to a home developer

Bills: HB2118 , HB2236

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: common interest communities, restrictions, property rights, homeowners association, community governance, housing finance, affordable housing, housing commission, state agency, financial assistance, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• MEMBERS WE HAVE THREE PRESENTERS WHO WILL SHARE WITH US SOME OF THE DEVELOPMENTS IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
• THIS IMAGE IN FRONT OF YOU IS AN EXAMPLE OF A COMPANY CALLED AG REVIEW DEVELOPED IN FLORIDA AND WHAT
• WE ARE NOT JUST DEVELOPING NEW TOOLS, WE'RE DEVELOPING AN ENTIRE INDUSTRY SO THIS IS AN EXCITING TIME
• YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> AS WE'RE DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGY PART OF WHAT WE DO IS LOOK AT WHAT IS THE POTENTIAL
• I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IN MY OWN RESEARCH TEAM WE HAVE, WE DEVELOPED SOMETHING IN A CONTROLLED

Transcript Highlights:

• As we understand, it provides an opportunity for development to impact missions as long as equivalent
• And the second would allow develop and one watershed.
• This would allow hundreds of important green spaces to be opened up for development for the exacerbating
• But the development side, you're actually on the hook.
• I'm gonna lane co-locate utilities and improvements on a development.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• play in invasive species prevention and response, and the legislature encouraging each county to develop
• a plan might catalyze their development.
• 19:43.039><c> to</c> legislature encouraging each county to legislature encouraging each county to develop
• </c><00:21:54.240><c> county</c> one of the actions is developing county one of the actions is developing
• So, again, what I'm gathering is, yeah, develop structure.

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several resolutions focused on agriculture, invasive species, biodiversity, and clean energy finance. STR 34/SR 20 asked Hawaii’s congressional delegation to urge USDA to address unequal treatment of Hawaii in exporting agricultural goods; the Department of Agriculture supported the measure. STR 41/SR 25 encouraged each county to develop its own biosecurity plan, with testimony from the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, and the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species supporting county-level planning and coordination. Testifiers emphasized the importance of local response capacity for invasive species, while also noting that quarantine authority should remain at the state level; one witness requested an amendment to include possible legislative changes needed at the state and county levels. STR 110/SR 91 requested a study on the feasibility of a state green bond program, with support testimony submitted by Coalition Earth and no oral testimony from the energy office. Members asked questions about how county biosecurity plans would interface with existing state efforts, and witnesses described current interagency work and county response plans already being developed for species such as little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, and coqui frogs. The discussion also referenced a recent Oahu coqui detection on Sand Island and the need for flexible treatment options. For the green bond measure, members described it as a potential tool for renewable energy goals. No opposition testimony was presented on the measures discussed. On decision-making, the committees recommended passage of STR 34/SR 20 with technical non-substantive amendments, STR 41/SR 25 with the suggested amendment from CAPS, STR 56/SR 40 without amendment, and STR 110/SR 91 with technical non-substantive amendments. The recommendations were adopted by the committees, and the agenda concluded with adjournment.